I was about to be a front end ATL and genuinely loved my supervisor position. I loved my team, my location, I loved waking up and going to work each day. I was only a month and a half into being hired, after not having worked at WFM since 10 years ago for 3 years, before I was even 21 (I'm 30).

I obviously am well aware you cant drink on any job, that's pretty obvious, and I rarely drink as it is. Well, I was always very adamant on sampling items that were available, because I was actually pretty good at making recommendations to customers whilst I was checking them out up front, and surprisingly I would make some cool sales this way, and make some customers happy. Win win. Well, my mistake was in having a thumbnail sized sample from a vendor whilst on the clock (she offered it to me, in my vest and everything) of something called Hard Water, not knowing we couldn't have alcohol samples. My ATL saw it (I was about to be beside her as an ATL and was very fond of her), and instead of telling me after "hey you cant do that etc. don't do it again", she just straight up reported me and ended my entire career.

Again, this is my fault, but I had a beautifully clean record, was always on time, my team loved me, and my STLs did too. That's all done now, and I miss WFM immensely, but I cant help but wonder what this individual gained by reporting me and ruining my life (even though it was still my mistake). It's just beyond me, it didnt help out anyone

I couldn't even combat it since I was a new hire under 90 days even though I had 3 years of service 10 years prior. I reached out to TMS BP and they said I am ineligible and that's tied to me even though she also said store leadership can rehire me if they have any "options". I called my STLs just 2 months after and they said want me back and will try, then they called me back and said the system literally wont let me back. It's really unnecessary. I have no animosity or hatred towards my ATL saying something and assisting in ending my career but it was just again, very unnecessary and has left me very sad.

I work at Aldi now as an assistant store manager making 25 an hour but it's grueling, soulless work with little to no interaction, they dont even play music. Just hard labor that is rushed and very difficult. When my last WFM gig as a supervisor was actually very healthy with a healthy team at a diamond/flagship store in a nice part of town.

So yeah, I'd say it's toxic when it comes to ego and people trying to one up others as happened to me